CodeSpark
CodeSpark
CodeSpark
CodeSpark
CodeSpark

CodeSpark

CodeSpark Academy teaches coding fundamentals to children ages 3–10 through word-free, puzzle-based gameplay featuring adorable characters called “The Foos.” Designed by tech parents and Disney game veterans, the screen-based app begins with icon-driven logic puzzles, then progresses to creative story-based game design. Parents note how CodeSpark makes abstract coding concepts accessible to pre-readers: kids drag and link visual commands to program characters and create mini-games. What’s unique is its failure-positive, self-guided design—no ads, no chat, and kids learn computer science playfully. CodeSpark is an excellent first step into coding for young kids who learn best through exploration and visuals.

Recommended Ages

Ages 3-10
Style
Early LearnerOnlineGamifiedApp

CodeSpark is a multi-platform app that delivers self-paced coding education via a cast of characters called the Foos. Children complete puzzle levels to learn fundamental programming concepts such as sequencing, conditionals, loops, and variables, then progress to game and story creation modes using earned in-app rewards and tools. Families integrate it into their homeschool routine by setting aside short daily sessions of 10–20 minutes, using the provided parent dashboard for progress tracking, and extending learning with offline coding challenges or design sketching. The digital platform reflects a problem-based, inquiry-led pedagogy aligned with computational thinking models but isn’t tied to traditional educational philosophies like Montessori or Waldorf.

Self-Direction
E means highly structured. A is basically unschooled, completely self-guided.
How much do students guide their own learning in this course?
A
B
C
D
E
Subscription Plan
$15.00 USD
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CodeSpark
From $15.00 USD

Skills

What kids will learn
View all collections
Coding
Coding
Early Learning
Early Learning
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
Creativity
Creativity
STEM
STEM

Our mission

CodeSpark’s mission is to empower early learners with critical computational thinking and creativity through a playful, intuitive, text-free interface. They aim to make coding accessible and enjoyable for pre-readers and struggling readers by eliminating text barriers and focusing on logic, storytelling, and visual problem-solving. What makes CodeSpark unique is its “word-free” design, research-based puzzles, creative game-building tools, and accreditations from MIT, UCLA, and the NSF.

Our story

CodeSpark was founded in 2014 by Grant Hosford and Joe Shochet to address the challenge of teaching coding to young children without overwhelming them with text. Grant, an experienced tech entrepreneur, and Joe, a Disney Imagineer and game designer, created a screen-free-friendly, game-based platform that lets kids ages 5–9 learn coding through puzzles, logic games, and creative design. Since launch, the app has been downloaded more than 20 million times, reached over 35 million children globally, and earned over 20 prestigious awards from educational institutions, including a 2022 SBIR Tibbetts Award for innovation.

CodeSpark Demo

Watch a demo lesson

FAQ: Additional Details about CodeSpark

Children launch the app, play through a set of 10–15 minute drag‑and‑drop puzzles (learning sequencing or loops), earn in‑app currency, and then spend the remainder of their session building simple games or stories with earned rewards.

CodeSpark is perfect for early elementary learners aged 5–9 who thrive on visual, hands-on, and game-based learning who benefit from self-paced progression and puzzle-style thinking. It fits children who struggle with text-heavy instruction or are emerging readers and those who respond well to reward-based motivation and creative freedom.

It is less a good fit for pre-teens or teens seeking deeper, text-based programming or coding languages, for families wanting structured coding coursework or academic alignment, or for those who prefer screen-free education at this stage.

Parents of children with ADHD, dyslexia, and auditory processing differences often praise CodeSpark’s word-free interface, self-paced challenges, and visual feedback, noting the program supports focused engagement without the pressure of reading or writing

Works for bright younger children (5–9) who enjoy game-like logic challenges; gifted kids appreciate the freedom to experiment creatively, but older or intensely gifted learners may outgrow it quickly.

None—families need only a compatible device and the app installed.

Subscriptions include a 7-day free trial and auto-renew monthly or annually; refunds follow app store policies and cancellation before renewal stops further charges.

Many families report the best engagement comes from exploring puzzles and creating games together—playing for short, consistent daily sessions and discussing the concepts behind loops or conditionals. Parents suggest using built-in progress reports to follow each child’s growth, encouraging them to remix or recreate Foos’ puzzles, and participating together in in-app game-building challenges or national contests to boost motivation.

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Meet Grant and Joe

Grant Hosford, CEO and co-founder, brings over 15 years of digital product experience, global perspective, and a background in education-driven entrepreneurship. Joe Shochet, CPO and co-founder, is a seasoned games expert with a history at Disney Imagineering and creators of educational game engines; together they designed CodeSpark to merge professional-grade design with early childhood pedagogy.

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Modulo's thoughts

Our learning specialists give their honest evaluation
ManishaCEO and Founder

I've known Grant for a while and absolutely love CodeSpark. It's a beautifully designed, highly engaging app to teach early learners the fundamentals of coding.

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